Hockey training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hockey training arrangement comprises a hockey practice puck, having a configuration and density substantially equivalent to a conventional puck, with an array of relatively small glide shoes on the lower face of the puck, such as steel bearings partly recessed into the lower face of the puck, in association with a low-friction practice pad. The glide shoes elevate the puck above a play surface, to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction of the puck on the surface, permitting emulation of a puck gliding on an ice surface. The arrangement permits a player to hone his hockey skills in his home or any other location where a hockey rink is not available. Alternatively, a ringette ring incorporating similar glides shoes may be used in association with the pad.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/556,015 filed Apr. 20, 2000. The inventionrelates to an article for training for an athletic activity, namelyhockey and related games. In particular, the invention relates to ahockey puck and associated practice pad for permitting an athlete toemulate various stick handling hockey maneuvers within a home setting orother confined space. The invention further relates to training for thegame of ringette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The game of hockey requires the player to exhibit a high level ofskill and precision at maneuvering a hockey puck with the player'sstick, for example when the player is moving the puck along the icewhile maintaining the puck in close proximity to his stick. This type ofplay requires manipulating the puck in a rapid, highly controlledside-to-side movement with skilled stick handling. Since the largemajority of recreational hockey players have no ready and immediateaccess to ice for practicing hockey maneuvers, it is a frequentcomplaint amongst recreational-level players that they are unable topractice stick handling maneuvers on a regular basis, except duringtheir hockey games. It is desirable to provide for hockey players ameans whereby they may hone their stick handling hockey skills, at homeor within any other confined setting. For example, an arrangementwhereby a player could practice in his own basement would provide thededicated player with a means to practice his skills on a daily,year-round basis.

[0003] Recreational hockey players sometimes resort to practice withintheir homes, by spreading on their floor a relatively smooth, reducedfriction pad, and practicing stick handling maneuvers with a hockeystick and a plastic puck. The lightweight, plastic puck slides acrossthe pad with a relatively low friction coefficient. As well, playersoften resort to street practice, using either a light plastic ball orthe lightweight plastic puck. Neither of these arrangements is entirelysatisfactory. The lightweight puck or ball does not resemble a puck interms of mass or its response to the stick. Similarly, the differentmass and responsiveness of the practice puck or ball does not provide arealistic “feel” to the player seeking to hone his skills. Thus, skillsacquired by this means would have limited application to realgame-playing hockey skills.

[0004] It has also been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,419 (Pellegrino)to provide a practice hockey puck, consisting of a generallyconventional hard rubber puck having an array of headed pins fastenedinto the puck body.

[0005] It has also been proposed to provide an indoor hockey trainingsystem for practicing of hitting shots into a hockey goal. An example isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,652 to Woronets, disclosing a lengthypad or surface, having a goal at one end.

[0006] Practice of stick handling skills requires a device havingseveral features absent in the prior art. These features include, butare not limited to, a close emulation of actual on-ice feel i.e. a lowcoefficient of friction between the puck and surface. Further, the padshould be small, both to encourage rapid side-to-side movement of thepuck and also to provide convenience for the home user. Further, it isdesirable to provide a modular system for linking together multiple padsin various configurations to facilitate the practice of different typesof movements and single player or multiple player situations.

[0007] It is desirable to provide an arrangement for practicing ofhockey skills, that provides to the user a realistic simulation of anactual hockey-playing situation. Specifically, it is desirable toprovide an arrangement and associated method of honing hockey skillswhereby an improved hockey puck having about the size and weight of anactual ice hockey puck, may be used within an indoor practicearrangement that closely simulates or emulates on-ice play. This has notpreviously been accomplished within any prior art practice system orarrangement known to the inventor.

[0008] The game of ringette, which is similar to hockey, imposes similarrequirements on players for off-ice practice to hone their skills.

[0009] In accordance with the above, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a means to emulate aspects of an on-ice hockeyplaying situation, for use within a confined space. It is a furtherobject to provide a means to hone ringette skills by providing a similarmeans to emulate aspects of an on-ice ringette game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the above objects, the present inventioncomprises in one aspect a hockey practice puck, having embedded thereinan array of three or more glide shoes or slideable support means forsupporting the puck on a play surface. The shoes are shaped to contact asmooth play surface with minimal contact area and a minimal frictioncoefficient between the play surface and the contact members, incomparison with a conventional puck. In a preferred version, atriangular array of three or more bearings, which conveniently comprisesteel or plastic bearings, is partially embedded within a flat face of apuck to support the puck on a surface, whereby the exposed portion ofthe bearings provide a contact surface. The bearings are fixed in thepuck body for non-rolling contact with a smooth play surface.

[0011] The ground contact area of the contact members is minimalcompared with the surface area of the lower face of puck. This permits asignificant reduction in the coefficient of friction of the puck, whenthe same glides across a suitable smooth surface.

[0012] The invention further comprises in this aspect, the combinationof a puck as characterized above, with a low-friction pad formed from amaterial such as high density polyethylene. The pad may comprise acomposite structure, having a low-friction surface such as polyethylene,laminated to a rigid material such as styrene. A convenient dimensionfor the pad is approximately 48×15 inches, with a thickness of about ⅛of an inch. Conveniently, the puck has received into one of its flatsides three ⅛ inch steel bearings, recessed by about {fraction (1/16)}of an inch, in a triangular configuration. The pad is selected toachieve a coefficient of friction between the puck and play surfacewhich approaches that of a conventional hockey puck on an ice surface ata conventional rink temperature range.

[0013] In another aspect, the invention comprises a ringette practicering, having embedded in a lower face at least three low-frictioncontact members in a similar fashion to the above-described hockey puck.The ringette ring has about the same size, shape and weight as aconventional ringette ring. In a still further aspect, the inventioncomprises the combination of a ringette ring of this type, with alow-friction pad as characterized above.

[0014] In a still further aspect, the invention comprises a method forpracticing hockey puck-handling skills, comprising the steps of:

[0015] providing a hockey puck having embedded in one of the flat facesthereof at least three low-friction glide shoes such as steel or plasticbearings, spaced apart to support the puck on a surface; a flat padhaving a low-friction upper surface; and a hockey stick;

[0016] supporting said puck on said glide shoes, on said pad;

[0017] manipulating the puck with said stick in a manner which emulateson-ice hockey play, by contacting the puck with the stick with about thesame force as would be required for on-ice play, thereby imparting tothe puck substantially the same responsive movement as would be impartedduring on-ice play, while generally maintaining said puck within theconfines of said pad.

[0018] The above method may also be adapted for practicing of ringetteskills.

[0019] In a further aspect, the invention consists of a hockey puck foruse on a smooth non-ice surface, with an array of apertures extendingbetween the upper and lower faces and an array of glide shoes protrudingfrom at least the lower face for supporting said puck on said non-icesurface. Each of the glide shoes comprises an elongate pin extendingthrough said aperture.

[0020] Preferably, the pins comprise a self-lubricating plastic, andprotrude from both of the upper and lower faces by, for example, between{fraction (1/32)} and ¼ inch.

[0021] A further aspect, the invention consists of a puck as definedabove, in combination with a portable, stowable pad for practicing ofhockey stick handling, said pad comprising a smooth and slipperymaterial wherein the coefficient of friction between said puck and saidpad is less than or approximately equal to the coefficient of frictionbetween a conventional hockey puck and a smooth ice surface at atemperature range of between about 10° C. and 5° C.

[0022] A further aspect consists of a system comprising a hockey puckhaving substantially flat upper and lower faces, with an array of glideshoes on at least one of said upper and lower faces for elevating saidface above a play surface and substantially reducing the coefficient offriction of said puck on a surface; a portable, stowable pad having asmooth and low friction upper surface, and user instructions in the formof written or graphic instructions, a video or computer-readableinformation. The instructions describe a procedure in which the pad ispositioned on flat surface, the puck is positioned on said pad with saidglide shoes resting on said pad, and the puck is manipulated by a playerin a rapid side-to-side movement with a hockey stick in a manneremulating the side-to-side stick handling procedures generally employedin a game of ice hockey.

[0023] The system may further comprise additional components, which areoptionally attached to the pad to add challenging elements to theplayer's practice routine. Such components include an upstanding pylon,or, as described below, a bumper for returning the puck to the player.

[0024] The instructions may further describe a multi-player game, inwhich two or more players either pass a puck between themselves on aco-operative basis emulating a situation in which all of said playersare on the same team, or a game in which a first player attempts tosteal the puck from a second player emulating a situation in whichplayers are on opposing teams.

[0025] Preferably in this invention, the pad or the glide shoes, or mostpreferably both, comprise a self-lubricating plastic for reducing thecoefficient of friction between said glide shoes and said pad to lessthan or generally equal to the coefficient of friction of a conventionalhockey puck on a smooth ice surface at a temperature range between 10°C. and −5° C.

[0026] In a further aspect there is provided at least two pads eachhaving a flat and smooth upper surface, and at least one fastening clipfor joining the pads together in a tight side-by-side array. The cliphas a plate-like base having at least two pegs protruding therefrom,said pegs for friction fitting within apertures within the pads.

[0027] A further aspect relates to a removable bumper along one side ofthe pad for reflecting a hockey puck, said bumper comprising aresilient, elastomeric material.

[0028] The bumper may be substantially straight, or alternatively it maybe curved, e.g. semi-circular, hyperbolic or parabolic.

[0029] Directional references herein are for convenience of description.The terms “upper” and “lower” herein refer to the puck or pad of thisinvention when positioned horizontally.

[0030] Having thus generally characterized the invention, furtheraspects of the invention will be made apparent by virtue of thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a plan view of hockey puck according to the presentinvention.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a puck, along line II-II of FIG. 1,showing the same resting on a practice pad.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a practice pad according to thepresent invention, with a puck resting thereon.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a ringette ring according to the presentinvention.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a puck according to a still furtherembodiment of the invention.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a puck according to the embodiment ofFIG. 6.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the pad portion of the inventionaccording to a further embodiment.

[0039]FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are plan views of a multiple of pads of theembodiment of FIG. 8, linked together in various configurations.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a linking pin for joiningmultiple pads.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first type of linking pin, with fourprojections.

[0042]FIG. 12 illustrates a second type of linking pin, with twoprojections.

[0043]FIG. 13(a) is a plan view of a pad and pylon combination.

[0044]FIG. 13(b) is a sectional view of the combination shown in FIG.13(a).

[0045]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pad and bumper combination.

[0046]FIGS. 15A, B and C illustrate different embodiments of pad andbumper combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, one aspect of the present inventioncomprises a puck body 10, which generally resembles a conventional andtraditional hockey puck, having a generally cylindrical configurationwith knurled region 12 extending around the sidewall 14, and fabricatedfrom a dense, slightly resilient material such as hard rubber. It isimportant that the puck 10 have about the same size, weight andresiliency as a conventional hockey puck. Conveniently, acommercially-available conventional puck may be simply modified in themanner described below. The puck is characterized by opposedsubstantially flat upper and lower faces 16 and 18 (all directionalreferences herein are with reference to the puck in the normal “play”position). The puck is supported by an array of glide shoes as describedbelow.

[0048] An array of conventional ⅛″ steel bearings 20 is partly recessedinto the lower face 18 of the puck. The array comprises three bearings,arranged in a triangular configuration. To maximize stability for thepuck, the array covers substantially the entire lower face of the puck,with the bearings being inwardly displaced from the sidewalls by anamount sufficiently to prevent failure of the puck body. The bearingsare each enclosed within a corresponding recess 22 within the puck body10, opening to the lower face of the puck. Conveniently, the bearingsare glued or otherwise fastened in place within the recess, by anysuitable glue or the like. The recess is about {fraction (1/16)} inchdeep, permitting the bearings to extend downwardly from the puck body byabout {fraction (1/16)} inch, thus elevating the puck body 10 by thisdistance when the puck rests on a flat surface.

[0049] The bearings may comprise a material other than steel, such asanother metal or a hard plastic. The bearings may range in size from,for example, {fraction (1/16)} inch to ⅜ inch, and be recessed withinthe puck to a range of depths which permit the puck body to be elevatedoff a flat surface by between about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch and ¼inch. The array may comprise any convenient number of bearings with aminimum of three. For example, an array of four bearings may beprovided. The bearings should be positioned reasonably close to theperiphery of the puck to maximize stability.

[0050] The bearings are arranged such that when the puck body 10 ispositioned on a surface 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the pucksupported on the bearings 20, the puck body is elevated slightly abovethe surface. Thus, the puck is supported on the surface solely via thebearings. It will be appreciated that this results in a significantreduction of friction when a velocity is imparted to the puck relativeto the surface, in comparison with a conventional puck gliding on such asurface. This is particularly apparent when the surface comprises asmooth, low friction surface such as a synthetic flat pad of the typewhich will be described in detail below.

[0051] An alternative arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisexample, the bearings are replaced by an array of small pads 40 fastenedto the lower surface 18 of the puck body 10. For example, a triangulararray comprised of three small pads formed from a synthetic materialsuch as polyethylene, which is characterized by a low coefficient offriction, may be glued or otherwise fastened to the lower surface of thehockey puck to form this embodiment.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a hockey practice puck of the typescharacterized above may be used by an athlete, in association with aflat pad 50 having a low coefficient of friction on the upper surface 30thereof. Conveniently, the pad may have a suitable dimension such as48×15 inches or more, and may be relatively thin, for example, ⅛ inch.Suitable dimensions for the practice pad cover a range, limitedprimarily by convenience of manufacturing, shipping and packaging, aswell as the storage convenience of the user. By way of a non-limitingexample, the pad may range in size from 2×1 foot up to about 3×6 feet,with a thickness ranging from ⅛ inch to ⅜ inches. Preferably the pad issufficiently rigid that it will experience only minimal or no deflectionduring use. For example, the pad may be used on a soft surface such ascarpet, and in use will experience both the weight of the puck bearingdown on the pad, as well as downward pressure from the players stick.Normally, the player would not be expected to stand on the pad and thusthe pad would not be required to resist a large amount of downwardforce. Thus, the pad may be made relatively thin, thus keeping costs andbulkiness and weight of the pad to a minimum. The pad may comprise acomposite, formed from an upper layer bonded to a lower layer. Theupper, low friction layer 52 may comprise a high density polyethylenematerial, laminated to a base 54 comprised of high density styrene, HDPEor like rigid and tough material. The upper surface 50 of the pad willform a smooth, flat surface, which emulates the ice surface of a hockeyarena. A hockey practice puck as described above, will be able to glideacross such a surface with a coefficient of friction which approaches oreven may be less than that of a conventional hockey puck gliding on anice surface, at a conventional rink temperature range (i.e. about −10°C. to −5° C.). Conveniently, the upper layer may comprise a materialsuch as Proteus (™) high density polyethylene, manufactured by Polyhighof Scranton, Pa. The manufacturer advises that this material has adensity of 29.4-28.7 cubic inches/pound. The combination of puck and paddescribed herein permits play manipulation of the puck in anomni-direction movement on the pad with a drag co-efficient whichapproaches or is less than a conventional puck on an ice arena surface.

[0053] In a test, the practice puck according to the present invention,gliding on a synthetic surface as described, was compared to aconventional puck gliding on a rink ice surface. Both surfaces werehorizontal. An essentially identical impact was applied to each puck,and the distance travelled by each was measured. In several test runs,the distance travelled was essentially the same, indicating a similarfriction coefficient.

[0054] It will be seen that the hockey practice puck of the typedescribed above, may be used in association in situations other thanstrictly practice. For example, the puck may be used on a smoothgymnasium floor, covered by a plastic layer as described above eitherfor practicing of hockey maneuvers, or in the context of a conventionalhockey game, played on a non-ice surface.

[0055] A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this version,the invention comprises a ringette puck 60, comprising an annular memberwhich is somewhat larger in diameter than hockey puck. An array of ⅛″steel bearings 62 is partly recessed into the lower face 64 of theringette puck, in generally similar fashion to the hockey puck describedabove. Conveniently, three equally spaced bearings are recessed in atriangular configuration, although a greater number of bearings may beprovided. Alternatively, small pads may be mounted to the lower face ofthe ringette puck. A practice pad as described above is provided for usein association with the ringette puck.

[0056] In a still further aspect, the invention comprises a method foroff-ice honing of a player's hockey skills, which is especiallyconvenient for carrying out in a player's home. The method comprises thesteps of:

[0057] providing a hockey puck as described above, characterized by thelower face of the puck having an array of glide shoes such as bearingsor pads to support the puck on a surface and elevate the puck body abovethe surface; a flat pad having a low friction upper surface; and ahockey stick;

[0058] supporting the puck on the surface, with the puck body beingelevated above the surface by the glide shoes.

[0059] A player manipulates the puck with the hockey stick in a mannerwhich emulates on-ice hockey play. For this purpose, the player contactsthe puck with the stick, with about the same force as would be requiredfor on-ice hockey play. Typically, this will involve fine manipulationof the hockey puck, for example as would be carried out when a player isseeking to keep the puck away from an opposing player. The player'scontact of the puck with this stick, imparts to the puck about the sameresponse of movement as would be imparted during on-ice play. At alltimes, the player seeks to maintain the puck within the confines of thepad.

[0060] Essentially the same method may be used to hone a player'sringette skills, with a ringette ring as described above and a ringettestick being provided in replacement of a hockey puck and stick.

[0061] A aspect of the invention comprises a kit consisting of one ormore pads of the type described in this patent specification, one ormore of the pucks described herein, optionally one or more linking pins(described below) for connecting together two or more pads and writteninstructions and/or a video, computer-readable disc or other means toconvey information. The instructions describe a procedure in which thepad is positioned on a flat surface such as an indoor floor. Optionally,two or more pads may be arranged in side-by-side relationship andoptionally joined together with one or more linking pins as describedbelow. The puck is then placed on the pad. The user then manipulates thepuck in a rapid side-to-side movement with his stick, in a mannerintended to emulate the side-to-side stick handling proceduresexperienced in a game of hockey. The player may also be instructed toset out on the pad one or more temporary markers or small barriers, suchas small pylons, blocks or the like, and attempt to manipulate the puckaround or between the barriers. The instructions may further state thatthe practice system may be used by either a single player oralternatively two or more players simultaneously. In a multi playersituation, a single puck may be passed between players on a co-operativebasis intended to emulate a situation in which all players are on thesame team. Alternatively, players may be on different teams, in which afirst player tries to “steal” the puck from a second player.

[0062] A further embodiment of a puck 10 for use in the presentinvention is shown at FIG. 6 and 7. In this version, the glide shoes 70comprise elongate pins, each of which is tightly fitted within acorresponding aperture 72 within the puck extending between the upperand lower faces of the puck. The pins may be friction fitted within theapertures or, more preferably, glued in place. The upper and lower endsof the pins 74 protrude from the upper and lower puck surfaces and arerounded. The pins may be conveniently made from any of the materialsdescribed above in connection with the bearings. However, preferably thepins comprise a self-lubricating plastic such as Nylon(™) or other selflubricating material. The pins may also incorporate glass or carbonfibre as a reinforcement in order to reduce wear. Carbon fibre alsoserves to reduce drag when incorporate in the pin material; and thusfurther lower the co-efficient of friction between the puck and pad. Asseen in FIG. 7, the pins 70 are positioned in a triangular array ofthree pins adjacent the periphery of the pad. As described above, thearray may comprise more than three pins although it has been found thatthree pins arranged in a triangular array is suitable.

[0063]FIG. 8 illustrates a pad 80 according to a further embodiment. Inthis version, a rectangular pad is provided with apertures 82 adjacenteach corner. Each aperture extends between the upper and lower surfacesof the pad. Additional apertures 84 are provided adjacent to each of thelong sides of the pad, along the midline of the pad. The aperturespermit several components to be joined to the pad. In one version,fastening clips 90 are fastened to the apertures to permit multiple padsto be joined together in an array. Examples of such arrays are shown atFIGS. 9A, B and C. These arrays are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention, as it will be seen that any number of pads may be joinedtogether in a large number of configurations, depending on the floorspace available. The fastening clips 90 are shown in greater detail atFIGS. 10, 11 and 12 The clips 90 each comprise a plate-like base 92,from protrudes upwardly either two or four pegs 94. The pegs each fitwithin an aperture. Dual clips 90(a) with two pegs 94 may be used forfastening pairs of adjoining pads together. Quadruple clips 90(b) withfour pegs 94 may be used to join together the four corners of fouradjacent pads. Preferably, the clips are installed from the underside ofthe pads, with the flat base 92 underneath the pads and the pegsprotruding upwardly. The tops of the pegs are generally flush with theupper pad when installed surfaces and the bases are thin in order tomaintain the pad surface reasonably flat. The protrusions may compriseany convenient shape such as round (as illustrated) or multi-sided.

[0064] The apertures 84 or similar apertures in the central region ofthe pad 10 may also be used to engage barriers or obstacles such assmall pylons 98 to the pad, as seen in FIGS. 13(a) and (b). In thisversion, one or more upstanding pylons are provided, each having adownwardly-projecting pin 99 having a size and length suitable forfriction fitting within a corresponding aperture 84. As described above,the pylons are used to provide a further type of practice situation.

[0065]FIG. 14 illustrates a still further component which may bereleasably fastened to the pad 10, namely a bumper 100 which returnsoutwardly directed shots to the player. The bumper comprises anupstanding wall fashioned from a resilient, elastomeric material whichreturns a puck to the player with minimal loss of speed. The bumper 100may be fastened to the pad 10 by pegs which engage apertures in a mannersimilar to the pylons 98. In one simple version shown in FIG. 14, thebumper comprises a straight wall extending substantially the length ofone side of the pad. This is suitable for returning a puck back to theplayer, provided the strike angle is close to 90 degrees. However, inorder to provide puck return from angles which depart substantially from90 degrees, a curved bumper may be provided as shown in FIGS. 15A, B andC. 15A illustrates a semi-circular bumper 104. With this type ofconfiguration, a puck which is hit from the point generallycorresponding with the circle center, will return close to the pointfrom which it is hit regardless where it strikes the bumper. For theconvenience of the user, a marker 106 may be incorporated in the pad atthe correct puck position. Another version shown at FIG. 15B provides aparabolic bumper 108. In this version, the puck will always be returnedto the player on a path which is parallel to the outgoing path. This mayprovide practice to the player for rapidly moving his stick from oneplace to another to block a return puck, in a controlled fashion. FIG.15C illustrates a bumper 110 having a hyperbolic curvature.

[0066] The height of the bumper should be sufficiently great to block apuck which has been elevated slightly off the playing surface. Thebumper may range in height from 1 inch to 10 inches with a preferredrange being 3 inches to 6 inches.

[0067] Having thus generally described the invention by way of preferredembodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates, that numerous departures from and variations to thepreferred embodiments may be made, without substantially departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention described and claimed herein.

I claim:
 1. A hockey puck for use on a smooth non-ice surface, said puckhaving a generally cylindrical configuration with substantially flatupper and lower faces with an array of apertures extending between saidfaces and an array of glide shoes protruding from at least said lowerface for supporting said puck on said non-ice surface, each of saidglide shoes comprising an elongate pin extending through said aperture.2. A hockey puck as defined in claim 1, wherein said pins comprise aself-lubricating plastic.
 3. A puck as defined in claim 1, wherein saidpins protrude from said upper and lower faces by between {fraction(1/32)} and ¼ inch.
 4. A system comprising hockey puck as defined inclaim 1, in combination with a portable, stowable pad for practicing ofhockey stick handling, said pad comprising a smooth and slipperymaterial wherein the coefficient of friction between said puck and saidpad is less than or approximately equal to the coefficient of frictionbetween a conventional hockey puck and a smooth ice surface at atemperature range of between about 10° C. and −5° C.
 5. A system asdefined in claim 4, wherein said pad comprises HDPE.
 6. A systemcomprising a hockey puck having substantially flat upper and lowerfaces, with an array of glide shoes on at least one of said upper andlower faces for elevating said face above a play surface andsubstantially reducing the coefficient of friction of said puck on asurface; a portable, stowable pad having a smooth and low friction uppersurface, and user instructions in the form of written or graphicinstructions, a video or computer-readable information, saidinstructions describing a procedure in which said pad is positioned on aflat surface, said puck is positioned on said pad with said glide shoesresting on said pad, and said puck is manipulated by a player in a rapidside-to-side movement with a hockey stick in a manner emulating theside-to-side stick handling procedures generally employed in a game ofice hockey.
 7. A system as defined in claim 6, further comprising atleast one upstanding pylon, said instructions further describing ahockey practice method comprising placing said at least one pylon onsaid pad and manipulating said puck around said pylon.
 8. A system asdefined in claim 6, further describing a multi-player game, in which twoor more players either pass a puck between themselves on a cooperativebasis emulating a situation in which all of said players are on the sameteam, or a game in which a first player attempts to steal the puck froma second player emulating a situation in which players are on opposingteams.
 9. A system comprising in combination a hockey puck having agenerally cylindrical configuration with a substantially flat upper andlower faces, having on said lower face an array of glide shoes forsupporting said puck on a surface, said glide shoes together having aground contact area which is minimal compared with that of said lowerface to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction of said puckwhen said puck is supported on said glide shoes on a smooth and flatplay surface, and a pad having a flat, smooth upper surface, said padbeing portable and stowable, at least one of said glide shoes or saidpad comprising a self-lubricating plastic for reducing the coefficientof friction between said glide shoes and said pad to less than orgenerally equal to the coefficient of friction of a conventional hockeypuck on a smooth ice surface at a temperature range of between 10° C.and −5° C.
 10. A system as defined in claim 9 wherein both of said padand said glide shoes comprise self-lubricating plastic.
 11. A system asdefined in claim 9, wherein said pad comprises HDPE.
 12. A system asdefined in claim 9, wherein said glide shoes comprise Nylon(™).
 13. Asystem as defined in claim 9, wherein said glide shoes comprise an arrayof pins extending through said puck between said upper and lower facesand protruding from said upper and lower surfaces.
 14. A portable andstowable hockey practice surface comprising at least two pads eachhaving a flat and smooth upper surface, said pads each having aperturesadjacent the peripheral sides thereof, and at least one fastening clipfor joining said two or more pads together in a tight side-by-sidearray, said at least one clip comprising a plate-like base having atleast two pegs protruding therefrom, said pegs for friction fittingwithin said apertures.
 15. A surface as defined in claim 14, comprisingat least one clip having only two pegs for fastening together two padsin side-by-side relation.
 16. A surface as defined in claim 14,comprising at least one four peg clip having four pegs in a rectangulararray for fastening together four pads in a side-by-side planarrelation, said pads each having an aperture adjacent a corner thereofand said four peg clip being for friction fitting within four of saidcorner apertures.
 17. A surface as defined in claim 14, wherein saidpegs are generally flush with said surface when installed.
 18. A surfacedefined in claim 14, further comprising at least one removable pylonhaving a peg protruding from the base thereof, said surface furtherincluding at least one aperture for friction fitting of said pylon peg,for engaging said pylon to said surface.
 19. A portable and stowablehockey practice surface comprising a pad having a smooth and slipperyupper surface, and a bumper along one side of said pad for reflecting ahockey puck, said bumper comprising a resilient, elastomeric material.20. A surface as defined in claim 19, wherein said bumper is releasablyjoined to said surface.
 21. A surface as defined in claim 19, whereinsaid bumper is substantially straight.
 22. A surface as defined in claim19, wherein said bumper is curved.
 23. A surface as defined in claim 22,wherein the curvature of said bumper is essentially semi-circular.
 24. Asurface as defined in claim 22, wherein the curvature of said bumper isgenerally a hyperbola.
 25. A surface as defined in claim 22, wherein thecurvature of said bumper is generally a parabola.
 26. A surface asdefined in claim 22, further comprising a visible marker on said pad forindicating a position of said puck on said pad wherein shooting of saidpuck from said position against said bumper will return said puck togenerally its starting position.